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To get started, write a script addressed to your audience (that’s your friends, family, and the internet) to explain who you are, what your project is, why it’s going to be amazing, why you’re fundraising, and how you’re going to use the funds. Then, read it out loud to a few people who don’t know much about your project. Does it make sense? Does it inspire them to get involved? Do you sound natural and convincing? Keep working on it until it’s perfect.

If you feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, you can always use voice-over with other footage or images from your project.

6. Plan Your Outreach

Before you even think about hitting the launch button, draft individual emails to everyone you think would like to hear from you. And make them personal: If you’re writing to an older, less tech-savvy crowd, explain what Kickstarter is and how to make an online donation; if you’re writing to a broke young friend just out of college, ask her to spread the word on Facebook and Twitter. Also reach out to anyone you know who writes for a blog, website, or magazine and might be interested in talking about your project.

Doing this prep work ahead of time will save you endless trouble and worry down the line. Plus, you'll need every moment after you launch to send thank you notes, post updates, and reach out to people you don't know!

7. Love the Internet

Telling your friends and family is the first step, but taking to the internet and all its social networks is the next one—in all, 20% of our pledges came from social networks, blogs, and websites.

Build a community around your project, starting with the websites you already use (most likely, Facebook and Twitter) and branching out to new ones: a blog, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest, and more. Look for people, blogs, and media in your industry, as well as your project’s area of interest, to connect with—and think broadly. Days Of Gray’s scope covered not just indie film, but also music, fashion, art, Iceland, travel, silent film, women in film, and more!

8. Say Thanks—and Not Just at the End

You’ll want to say thanks to everyone who pledged, but don’t wait until the campaign is over—when you get new pledges, thank them on Facebook or Twitter. Not only will your backers appreciate the timely recognition, a personalized and public “thanks” also spreads the word to all of that person’s connections.

You can also use Kickstarter as a social network: Message thank yous to your backers, encouraging them to check out your Facebook page, Twitter, and blog and spread the word both online and off. Then, see what other like-minded projects your backers support, and reach out to their creators. Offer to spread the word about their project, and have them do the same for you!

9. Keep in Touch

Once you've made it (we know you can!), celebrate! But also, remember to keep your backers and supporters posted on how your project is coming along. Fundraising is just the first step of your project, and chances are high that your backers are also your audience. They’ll be rooting for you to succeed, and if you do, they’ll likely follow you through all your future endeavors.

So, stay in touch, plan out how and when to send out rewards, and stay organized to make sure you've thanked and rewarded everyone. You can keep sending Kickstarter updates indefinitely, so remember to invite your biggest and earliest fans to come on board for your next project.